The Stigma of Engaging and Seeking Mental Health Treatment for African American Males in Higher Education: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study
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Authors
Keys, Andralyn
Issue Date
2026-03
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Student Success Science , Educational Leadership & Learning Lifelong , Black males , higher education , mental health
Alternative Title
Abstract
The problem addressed in this qualitative exploratory case study is that African American males participate in mental health services at disproportionately low rates. Despite increasing mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality among this population, participation in campus services has remained disproportionately low. This study focused on understanding how cultural norms, masculinity beliefs, stigma, and institutional factors shaped help seeking behaviors. The purpose of the study was to explore the perspectives of African American male college students to better understand the barriers that influenced their mental health service utilization. Critical race theory served as the conceptual framework, guiding the interpretation of experiences related to race, institutional trust, and systemic inequities in higher education and mental health support systems. A qualitative exploratory case study design was used with purposive sampling to recruit African American males residing in California’s Central Valley. Thirty participants completed a background questionnaire, and 12 participated in semi structured interviews conducted via Zoom. The questionnaires provided descriptive context only; all qualitative data were generated through the interviews. Thematic analysis, supported by NVivo software, was used to code and interpret the data. The findings revealed four central themes: limited awareness of available services; stigma and masculinity based expectations that discouraged help seeking; reliance on self directed coping strategies; and the influence of faith, spirituality, and representation on willingness to seek support. Participants emphasized mistrust of campus mental health systems and a need for culturally responsive services. Implications for practice include improving communication about services, expanding culturally relevant programming, and strengthening outreach efforts tailored to African American male students.